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Report: #1103578

Complaint Review: Telecheck - Houston Texas

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  • Reported By: Lucky — California
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  • Telecheck 5251 Westheimer Houston, Texas USA

Telecheck Denied my check, embarrassed me, without cause Houston Texas

*Consumer Comment: You are incorrect

*General Comment: In retail...

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 I recently wrote a check for $22.00 from an account that had more than sufficient funds available. To my humilitation, it was denied at the register and the only explanation I was given was, "I'm sorry, it's been declined, but here's a number you can call". So, I called.

Telecheck's reasoning? At first, it was because there had been a high level of activity that day. I guess my ONE other check I had written was too much for them to handle. Then, it was because the checking account was new. Apparently, the past month wasn't long enough for them. Then, the reason changed to, I hadn't "established a history" with them, so they declined the check.

So, because I'm a cautious spender, my check isn't any good. I guess in the midst of my embarrassment at the register, I was supposed to call the number, spend 5 minutes on hold, verify my information with some d****e bag in who-knows-where and then right another check and hope it passes muster. Are you kidding me?

While I understand the goal of curbing identity theft and fraud, I'm not a fan of being made out as the bad guy in this scenario. I intend to actively decline to shop at stores that use Telecheck. And when I leave my things at the register, I will let them know they have Telecheck to thank for losing that sale.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 12/02/2013 09:51 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/telecheck/houston-texas/telecheck-denied-my-check-embarrassed-me-without-cause-houston-texas-1103578. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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#2 Consumer Comment

You are incorrect

AUTHOR: Robert - ()

POSTED: Monday, December 02, 2013

 There was justification for your denial, just because you don't agree doesn't change that fact.

All of their reasons came back to the same thing, you have not built up enough history for them to be willing to approve that check.    They are a check guarantee service and as such they have certain criteria for accepting checks. 

Now, in retail with just about every single store accepting Debit/Credit cards and every Bank and Credit Union issuing a Debit Card as a standard feature, the fact is that people just do not write checks anymore at stores.  Then the ones that do will mainly do it because they either a)think it is safer or b)are trying to float funds hoping the check clears after they get money back in the bank.  BOTH of which are incorrect lines of thought.

First of safety - A check has not only your real bank account number, it has your name, full address and most importantly your signature.  The check is touched by no less than 2 or 3 people in the store and who knows how many else on it's way to get processed.  Any one of those people could take the information from the check and create a fake check and wipe out your account in about 30 seconds. 

Now a debit card has what is in effect a 16 digit random number.  You scan the card directly into the system and it gives approval.  No human interaction at all.  Now I can see you are saying..well what if people "hack" into the system.  Well guess what...when you give them your check, it too is scanned and stored electronically.  In addition to this many banks provide security for Debit cards that they do not provide for checks.  Meaning even if your card was stolen, there is a good chance you would have no liability. 

Now on floating funds - Yes a Debit card is just about instant so if you don't have the money right then and there you can get declined(or subject to an OD fee from the bank).  But thinking a check will buy you time is again very wrong.  Just about every check is submited to the bank electronically, which means that the same day you write the check it is very possible to clear the bank.  The days of having it float for 2-3 or more days is long gone.


So in your case, figuring you were not trying to float funds you could have very easily whipped out your debit card and been on your way.

 

Oh and as for you deciding to not do business with any store that uses Telecheck..good luck.  Just about every major retailer(and many small retailers) use Telecheck to approve checks.  And don't expect the store manager to bow down in fear when you tell them why you are not shopping there.  Because of the very minimal use of checks and the relativly high "bounce" rate they probably will say..well sorry to hear that and walk away not giving you or your "protest" a second thought.  One final item...there is a trend for stores to stop accepting checks all together, I can think of 2 major retailers that have stopped accepting any checks.

 

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#1 General Comment

In retail...

AUTHOR: Tyg - ()

POSTED: Monday, December 02, 2013

 In retail checks are a big sore spot. But let me be the first to tell you that since you have a checking account, you ALSO have a debit card. If your check was declined, then you could have just grabbed your debit card and used that. We ONLY have your word that there were sufficent funds. Im not doubting you but youre useing checks at places that NORMALLY dont take checks. MOST consumers KNOW this. Your embarassment is on YOU. Im 100% sure they didnt point and laugh at the crazy person writting a check. YOU WILL HAVE TO GET USED TO THE IDEA THAT CHECKS ARE GOING AWAY!!

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